Jim and Barb Kanter have committed $50,000 to establish two annual scholarship funds and a music appreciation fund at Northeast Community College.
Their gift will open doors for students pursuing careers in trades, business, and music—and they hope it inspires others to invest in the future workforce.
“Our philanthropy philosophy is ‘how can we help?’” Jim Kanter explained. “The trade areas need employees and entrepreneurs today. It’s where we can make an impact, where we can help the most for an immediate need.”
The Jim Kanter Annual Scholarship Fund will provide tuition and other support for students in the fields of HVAC, Building Construction, and Plumbing. The scholarships can fund five or more scholarships up to $5,000 each, depending upon each student’s needs. Students may also receive funding for tools or other equipment needed for their program of study.
In addition to supporting students in technical fields, the Kanters recognize the importance of strong business skills. These skills complement trades and prepare students for entrepreneurship.
The Barbara K. Kanter Annual Scholarship Fund will aid students in the Business, Marketing and Management fields of study, including accounting, business, and agribusiness programs. The scholarships can fund up to $2,500 per student for up to a total of eight students.
Having worked in corporate accounting for 40 years, Barb Kanter added, “A business major goes along with the trades. If you want to own your own business, you need accounting knowledge. Learning the business side of it, along with a trade, can be invaluable for anybody who might want to start their own business someday.”
Just as Barb values practical knowledge in business, she also believes in the power of creativity and discipline through the arts. Her lifelong love of music inspired another initiative to help students explore their talents beyond the classroom.
Barb said her love of music started at an early age.
“To get through college, on weekends I taught piano lessons to neighborhood kids. I have always liked music and think it provides discipline for students in other areas of their life,” Barb said.
The Kanter Music Appreciation Fund is designed to support students in both the vocal and instrumental music programs in Northeast. Among the things this $5,000 fund will help provide are student uniforms, travel and related expenses, accompanist fees, choreography fees, student instrument repair or replacement, replacement of audio equipment for performances, replacement of instrumental stand fronts and performance platforms, as well as student music classes and materials for classes and lessons.
Both Jim and Barb Kanter are Northeast Nebraska natives. Jim grew up on a farm near Battle Creek and graduated from Northeast in 1975. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Kearney State – now the University of Nebraska-Kearney – in 1977. Barb grew up on a farm near Wisner and graduated from Wayne State College in 1976.
The couple met after college while working in Norfolk for M.J. Schoening, a CPA firm that morphed into the current McMill CPAs and Advisors. They were married in 1982 and planned on living in Norfolk forever, however their adventures in the work world took them to various locations. Opportunities at Godfather’s Pizza and the former ConAgra Foods, Inc., now known as Conagra Brands, had them relocated to Omaha, Minneapolis, Minnesota; San Francisco, California; Stockton, California; back to Omaha and then to Oak Brook, Illinois. In 2003, they moved to Minneapolis, where they live today, and both continued working/consulting for ConAgra until 2005. Barb then worked for Mall of America and the Buck Hill Ski Area.
“When we were with ConAgra, it had 85,000 employees across the world,” Jim Kanter said. “Barb and I did audits across the United States and in countries like Australia, Canada, Mexico, Netherlands, and New Zealand. We were with other people who had degrees from Stanford, Notre Dame, and Michigan. And there is not a single time when our education was not adequate. We were comfortable with what I learned at Northeast and Kearney, and what Barb learned at Wayne State. It prepares you to be successful if that is what you want to be. If you make enough good decisions, you will have a good life.”
The Kanters urge others to follow their example and use their resources to provide students with the opportunity to learn a skill and prepare for a career which in turn strengthens industries and communities.
“I realize how important scholarships are,” Barb Kanter said. “My father died when I was 15. I got a Board of Trustees four-year full tuition scholarship to Wayne State, so I know what an impact a scholarship can have on somebody’s life.”
She set up the Barbara K. Kanter Endowed Scholarship at Wayne State in 2005. The Kanters have also provided funding for numerous other projects at Wayne State over the years.
“We use our story and resources with the intent of helping others,” Jim said. “One of the things Barb and I have tried to be is intentional. That is not easy, it takes thoughtfulness.”
The Kanters encourage donors to give what they can, saying the size of the gift is not as important as the intent. Jim said they have learned that sometimes the smallest donations have the largest impact. “Because it was personal, it met an instant need, and the usage and outcomes were relatively quick,” he said. “That has been very gratifying and made us understand the dollars that can get a student to college or to the next level to make a positive impact on their life.”
Barb agreed: “I think there’s a lot of noise in today’s world, and by contributing money while we are alive, we can get some students’ attention that—'hey, these people actually believe in us—maybe I should go to school or try to get through a course of some sort’.”
Tracy Kruse, Northeast vice president of development and external affairs, said Northeast is grateful for the Kanters’ support. “Jim and Barb’s generosity will help students gain skills, pursue passions, and prepare for successful careers. Their hope – and ours – is that others will join them in supporting Northeast students.”
Individuals wishing to follow the Kanters’ example can donate online at: northeast.edu/giving/donate or learn more about creating your own legacy
at Northeast by calling 402-844-7240 or emailing foundation@northeast.edu.
Students may apply for all Northeast scholarships online at: northeast.edu/costs-aid/scholarships/.
###
